Shifting Geographical Configurations in Migrant Families: Narratives of Children Reunited with their Mothers in Italy

Abstract

The article explores the experiences of separation and reunification by children of migrant mothers in Italy by analysing 32 qualitative interviews conducted with adolescents who had rejoined their mothers at different points in their lives. We show that international migration causes children to face multiple shifts in the configuration of their family ties due to the geographical dislocations and re-locations to which these ties are subject. The way in which children interpret and adjust to these changes depends on factors such as the timing of the family migration process and the frequency of transnational family practices, which are affected by more or less abrupt discontinuities in family life after their mothers’ and their own departure.

Reconceptualizing family reunification from a youth mobilities perspective: transnational youth between Ghana and Belgium

“…Studies of family reunification in destination countries show that there are fewer disruptions to family life and child well-being when separation remains short and children reunite at a young age (Eremenko and Bennett 2018;Fresnoza-Flot 2015;Bonizzoni and Leonini 2013). But besides length of separation and time of migration, our research shows the need to also consider how young people experience relationships with primary caregivers in both origin and destination contexts.…”

“…Studies explore how the timing of migration and the length of separation affect whether reunification is experienced as traumatic and find that longer periods of separation can negatively affect young people's well-being (Eremenko and Bennett 2018). Fewer disruptions in family life are experienced when children establish a solid relationship with their mother before she departs, when separation remains short (Bonizzoni and Leonini 2013) and when children reunite at a young age (Fresnoza-Flot 2015). All these studies focus on young people's international move and conceive youth mobility primarily in relation to parents' mobility.…”

Young lives on the move

“…Studies of family reunification in destination countries show that there are fewer disruptions to family life and child well-being when separation remains short and children reunite at a young age (Eremenko and Bennett 2018;Fresnoza-Flot 2015;Bonizzoni and Leonini 2013). But besides length of separation and time of migration, our research shows the need to also consider how young people experience relationships with primary caregivers in both origin and destination contexts.…”

“…Studies explore how the timing of migration and the length of separation affect whether reunification is experienced as traumatic and find that longer periods of separation can negatively affect young people's well-being (Eremenko and Bennett 2018). Fewer disruptions in family life are experienced when children establish a solid relationship with their mother before she departs, when separation remains short (Bonizzoni and Leonini 2013) and when children reunite at a young age (Fresnoza-Flot 2015). All these studies focus on young people's international move and conceive youth mobility primarily in relation to parents' mobility.…”